Cedar
A tree native to mountainous regions from North America to Asia, cedar is known for its strong properties. There are many species of cedar but western red is commonly used for gardening purposes.
Pros
Cons
- Whilst native to areas outside of the UK, the species was introduced to Britain, planted in the UK for timber. British red cedar wood will be locally sourced and reduce emissions in terms of transport.
- Whilst some species of cedar are endanger, the western red cedar in Britain is not.
- The wood is durable and naturally resistant to fungi, due to natural preservatives.
- Cedar woods can be found FSC certified.
- The wood is usually reasonably priced.
- Imported red cedar tends to be more durable than locally sourced, but not by too much. Imports will also have more impact on the environment due to the amount they will travel.
- Cedar imported from non-certified sources and from abroad may have further environmental impacts, threatening habitats along with indigenous cultures.
Balau
Balau
A slow growing tropical tree genus native to Asia and the Pacific areas, Balau has been harvested for centuries, especially due to its durability and strength. Its colour can vary from a yellowish hue to dark red.
Pros
Cons
- The wood can be obtained sustainably, be that via a plantation or FSC certification, obtaining from these sources can allow the natural forests to recover from deforestation today and from the past. (ref), (ref)
- Hard, heavy and strong, Balau is a durable wood that can be found at reasonable prices. (ref)
- The fact they are grown so far away means that they will need to be transported to the West and UK, adding costs to both the client but also the environment as more energy is used to transport it.
- Sourcing can be an issue, if not obtained by trusted sources it may be illegal timber. (ref)
- Whilst not all species of Balau are endangered, many are. (ref)
Balau Summary
A tropical wood from Asia, it is a strong and durable wood, a good choice for gardens for the amount of time it will last. However, like all tropical woods, transporting the woods from a rainforest to a garden requires a lot of energy and fuel, and this can emit a lot of CO2 into the environment. If not sourced from a third party certification board, the sourcing of Balau can be illegal. FSC certification is possible, from plantations or the forest. Local woods such as Oak or Cedar can be a more sustainable option for the garden, as rainforests are not destroyed and the wood will not need to travel as far.
It may be worth considering the fact that most UK gardens seem to be replaced within 20-30 years, be that through redesign or a new home owner altering the garden. If a garden will be replaced in a short period of time, it may not be worth using longer lasting materials that will not be able to live out there full potential, and a more sustainable, faster growing and faster degrading wood may be applicable, such as Pine.
